East Central Division
Davis Dorrough, NCTM
Davis Dorrough, NCTM, is an independent piano teacher in Cincinnati, Ohio. His past service includes National Certification Commission chair and the MTNA conference planning committee; Oklahoma State vice president for auditions and competitions, theory chair and IMTF chair; and Central Oklahoma MTA president and treasurer. Davis relocated to Ohio in 2020 and was honored as an MTNA Foundation Fellow in 2022.
“Innovative leadership that focuses on engaging the next generation of MTNA members is more crucial than ever before. I believe MTNA can evolve while continuing its tradition of impacting thousands of teachers and students nationwide and beyond, he says.”
Yeeseon Kwon, NCTM
Yeeseon Kwon, NCTM, is pianist
and associate professor at Roosevelt University. Specializing in andragogy, she also provides remote and in-person group and applied adult instruction at the Northwestern University Music Academy. Yeeseon is the column editor for “Books, Materials, and Music” for the Piano Magazine and a course contributor for A Pianist’s Guide to Teaching in Groups, from The Frances Clark Center Teacher Education Courses. She is vice president of the College Music Society and immediate past president of the Illinois State MTA.
“I value the East Central Division’s network, support of music educators and artists, and promotion of MTNA’s community engagement in sustainable ways,” she says
Eastern Division
Mary Lynne Bennett, NCTM,
Mary Lynne Bennett, NCTM, is
on the piano faculty at Duquesne
University, serves as co-advisor
of the MTNA collegiate chapter
and runs an independent studio
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
She is a member of the College
of Examiners for the Royal
Conservatory of Music. Mary
Lynne is a past president of WVMTA and PMTA and
is treasurer for PMTA. She has served as an Eastern
Division Certification Commissioner and on other committees
for MTNA.
“Service to MTNA has been a priority thanks to fantastic
mentors and colleagues who have contributed so
much to my own teaching knowledge and pedagogical
philosophy,” she says.
Hendry Wijaya, NCTM
Hendry Wijaya, NCTM, holds
a doctoral degree from the
Manhattan School of Music. He
is the piano department head of
the Westminster Conservatory
of Music. Named a 2019 MTNA
Foundation Fellow, Hendry has
served as president of New York
and New Jersey MTAs, independent
music teachers forum chair, state conference chair,
and on the MTNA nominating committee.
“MTNA fosters a supportive environment where music
teachers can collaborate and enhance their teaching
skills while exploring their leadership potential. I am
enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve as a liaison
between your state and MTNA at the national level, ” he
says.
Northwest Division
Theresa Bogard, NCTM
Theresa Bogard, NCTM, is a
dynamic, versatile performer
and educator. Her early career
focused on performances of music
by women, and she continues to
include works by underrepresented
composers in her varied programs.
A Steinway Artist, she has
performed on five continents. Her
recordings range from solo piano to chamber music,
from music of living composers to fortepiano and historical
performance.
“As a child in Colorado, I grew up doing MTNA competitions.
This wonderful organization has sustained me
throughout my entire life. I am truly grateful to contribute
back to the group to which I owe so much,” she says.
Roger McVey, NCTM
Roger McVey
Roger McVey, NCTM, is professor
of piano and chair of keyboard
studies at the University
of Idaho. He performs frequently
and is a dedicated advocate for
contemporary music. Roger has
served MTNA as the Idaho state
competitions chair, commissioned
composer chair, and local chapter
president as well as a competitions judge.
“I’ve been involved with MTNA since my days as an
undergraduate student. I truly cherish this organization!
The learning opportunities, the professional resources
and the network of colleagues, have all crucially important
to me and my students. I look forward to serving as
Northwest Division director,” he says.
South Central Division
Michael Dean, NCTM
Michael Dean, NCTM, is immediate
past president of Oklahoma
MTA and maintains an active
schedule as a soloist, duo-pianist,
collaborative artist, piano teacher,
workshop clinician and adjudicator.
He served on the faculty of the
Wheaton College Conservatory
and Oklahoma Baptist University,
where he served as chair of the music division.
“Throughout my career I have benefitted immensely
from MTNA’s educational, professional and artistic
programs and the many resources it provides. I am
impressed with its ability to encourage and advance
music teachers at all stages of the profession. I am
thankful for this organization full of passionate colleagues
and friends,” he says.
Timothy Smith
Timothy Smith is professor of
piano/music theory at Arkansas
Tech University. He holds degrees
from Indiana University and St.
Olaf College. Smith has held
numerous positions in the Arkansas
MTA including president and
treasurer. He maintains a studio
of pre-college students and is
organist/co-music director at his church. He is an active
collaborative pianist in the region and was awarded
Arkansas Teacher of the Year in 2011.
“As a young pianist, MTNA was synonymous with
the competition. As I began teaching, I realized its true
value—connections, high standards, professionalism
and leadership development. I hope to further serve the
organization,” he says.
Southern Division
Victoria Fischer Faw, NCTM
Victoria Fischer Faw, NCTM,
served as president of North
Carolina MTA, leading them to recognition
as the 2020 MTNA State
Affiliate of the Year. The 2022 MTNA
Teacher of the Year and an MTNA
Foundation Fellow, Vicky is co-creator
of the first virtual local MTA.
Professor emerita at Elon University,
she established the first North Carolina undergraduate
piano pedagogy degree program. Her teaching career
spans all ages and levels, including independent and
academic. She’s an accomplished performer and scholar,
with presentations at local, state and national venues.
“As Southern Division director-elect, my goal would be
team building via facilitating connections and serving
our community through active and accessible leadership.
Southern Division Rocks!” she says.
Washington Garcia
Washington Garcia is the dean
of the School of Music at Stetson
University. He is the recipient of
the “Condecoración Dr. Vicente
Rocafuerte,” the highest Cultural
Achievement Award given by the
Ecuadorian National Assembly,
and is a Kennedy Center Fellow.
He has served on the boards of
Opera Omaha, the Omaha Area Youth Orchestras,
the Nebraska Medical Orchestra and the Orlando
Philharmonic. Washington maintains an active career as
a soloist and lecturer.
“I’m an avid supporter of the transformative impact
that MTNA continues to have in the musical landscape
throughout the United States. I hope to strengthen the
bridges of collaboration in the Southern Division,” he
says.
Southwest Division
Hannah Creviston, NCTM
Hannah Creviston, NCTM,
is keyboard area coordinator,
director of the Community Music
School, coordinator of class piano
and director of piano pedagogy
at Arizona State University. She
currently serves as Arizona’s chair
for college faculty and collegiate
chapters and advisor for the ASU
Collegiate Chapter.
“MTNA is about community, one in which we are continually
learning from and being inspired by one another.
In my current administrative roles, I have learned the
importance of listening and would welcome the opportunity,
as Southwest Division director, to listen to and
be challenged by your aspirations, needs, passion and
knowledge.”
Paula Manwaring, NCTM
Paula Manwaring
Paula Manwaring, NCTM, is a
music educator, arranger, published
author and composer.
She attended Brigham Young
University, studying under Robert
Smith, and has enjoyed teaching
piano for the past 45 years. Paula
currently serves on Utah MTA’s
State Board as immediate past
president.
“MTNA is the catalyst in my life that brings more
understanding, depth and genuine care for others as
we musically serve one another, our students, and communities.
The love, respect and positive energy felt each
time we have the opportunity to come together for a
meeting, performance or social gathering is shared and
felt by all,” she says.
West Central Division
Vanessa Cornett, NCTM
Vanessa Cornett, NCTM, is professor
of piano and piano pedagogy
at the University of St. Thomas
in Minnesota. She represented the
West Central Division on the nominating
committee and has served
on the MTNA e-Journal editorial
committee and national conference
program committee. She currently
serves as the vice president-membership for the
Minnesota MTA and is a member of the MMTA wellness
forum and Foundation board of directors.
“MTNA has been my professional lifeline for many
years. I am grateful for the outstanding teaching,
mentoring and friendship of its wonderful members,
and I would be honored to represent the West Central
Division,” she says.
Jason Sifford, NCTM
Jason Sifford, NCTM, is a
freelance pianist and teacher
based in Iowa City, Iowa. He is
also a composer for the Willis
Music Company and the Footliters’
Traveling Playhouse, a children’s
musical theater project of the City
of Coralville. He is a past president
of the Iowa Music Teachers
Association, was honored as Iowa’s Foundation Fellow
for 2023, and most recently served on MTNA’s National
Certification Commission.
“MTNA has been at the center of my teaching career
for over three decades, and I would love the opportunity
to give back to the organization that has meant so much
to me,” he says.